Shots confident of breaking Fleet's hearts

ALDERSHOT TOWN manager Gary Waddock insists his side will not lie down and die for the visit of Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Blue Square Premier leaders must find three goals in 90 minutes to force extra time in Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy semi-final second leg showdown.

Waddock has challenged the hostile crowd at The Recreation Ground to help his side turn around a 3-1 deficit.

Two first half penalties from Fleet’s Chris McPhee gave the determined Kent side a deserved 2-0 lead going into half-time at Stonebridge Road last Saturday.

Waddock, however, made three changes at the interval and Junior Mendes scored his first goal for the club, pulling a goal back for the Shots.

But Fleet skipper Paul McCarthy netted his first goal of the season within two minutes and the Fleet go into the second leg with a two-goal advantage.

Aldershot Town, however, warmed up to Saturday’s showdown by scoring three goals against Histon in a 3-1 win, although Ebbsfleet United suffered a Cup hangover, going down 3-0 to Rushden & Diamonds in front of their lowest crowd at this level.

Saturday’s game in Hampshire is not for the feint-hearted and Waddock insists his treble chasing team are going for it.

“We have to score goals to progress but the good thing is that we have scored goals throughout the season,” Waddock told Aldershot Town’s website www.theshots.co.uk.

“We will create opportunities and the tie is set up nicely.

“We didn’t play to the level of standard expected this season last Saturday but saying that we still created chances in the second half and we had a good victory in midweek against Histon, which was important for us.

“We also scored three goals too which was encouraging.”

Waddock has issued a rallying cry to the Aldershot public to urge his side on.

“There will be a big crowd behind us and it is all to play for,” Waddock said. “The semi-final of a competition where there is a massive prize at stake should mean they don’t need any geeing up. They know what is required.

“They (the players) have been able to come up with the answers in the league campaign so far this season.

“The atmosphere will be important and the crowd have been fantastic all season. Their support will be even more important this Saturday due to the requirements.

“They could be the extra player. I am excited and looking forward to it.

“With the players that we have with the flair and what they have done so far during this campaign we have helluva of a chance of pulling this tie back.”

But an early Ebbsfleet United goal - making the score 4-1 to the Kent side on aggregate - will surely stun the home faithful to silence and we can all start planning our day out at Wembley Stadium on 10^th May.

Quotes courtesy of www.theshots.co.uk

Aldershot Town v Ebbsfleet United
FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final Second Leg
Saturday 15^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Recreation Ground, High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1TW